Page 29 of Idle Gossip

“Yes. When you offered to release me, I was confused. It did not take long to understand that I had no desire to be released. I love you, and I never wish to be parted from you from this moment on.”

Darcy brought a hand up and cupped her cheek. “Elizabeth,” he whispered. “I love you most ardently.”

“Then you had best secure my last set so we may leave my neighbors in no doubt of our affection.”

Darcy pressed his lips to hers. Their first kiss was everything he had imagined and more. “Will you dance the last with me, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth?”

“Yes.”

Darcy could not recall when he had been happier as he led his future wife back into the ballroom.

Chapter Eleven

“Well, that worked out perfectly, did it not, Eliza?” Charlotte met them just inside the terrace doors.

“If you mean my aunt being expelled from the house, then yes, Miss Lucas, it did.” Darcy smirked as he drew Elizabeth closer to his side.

“I still have not entirely forgiven you,” Elizabeth warned her friend.

“Perhaps when you are happily situated you will remember my well-meant interference?” Charlotte said sheepishly as she strode away, leaving Darcy and Elizabeth alone once more.

“Your neighbors seem to have lost interest,” Darcy pointed out.

“They only wish you to believe that. This evening will be the subject of drawing room gossip for months.” And had they not learned the consequences of idle gossip? “Will Lady Catherine find success with your aunt and uncle?”

“She will not. I have been in communication with Lady Matlock since she alerted me of the rumors. She knows that supporting me will help more than protesting my choice.” He turned to look at her. “You truly love me?”

“You said it first, sir.”

“I did. I did not expect to hear the same from you yet. There was hope…but I did not wish to press you.” Mr. Darcy took her hands in his and raised them to his lips, kissing them one at a time.

“I knew you did not truly wish to end the courtship. But it was very honorable to give me the choice.”

“After hearing of Miss Lucas’s interference, I suspected that was the true source of your pique.”

“You know me so well.” Elizabeth squeezed his hands and drew closer. “You know, upon our first meeting, I thought you extraordinarily handsome.”

“And then I spoiled the impression by calling you tolerable. What a fool I was!”

“You are still a fool—a fool in love.” She pulled her hands from his and stretched up onto her toes to kiss his cheek.

“Elizabeth, will you marry me?”

“I thought I had already answered that,” she teased. “Do you not have claim to my last set?”

“I wish to hear you say it, love. Elizabeth Bennet, you hold my heart. I shall do my best to please you and make you happy for as long as we both shall live. Will you do me the very great honor of accepting my hand in marriage?”

“Yes.” She could say nothing more, for he pulled her into a shadowed alcove on one side of the terrace doors and kissed her again.

Elizabeth’s head swam as his lips plied her own. She moaned softly as his arms wrapped around her.

“Shall I speak to your father now?” he asked when he broke away.

“Let us allow Jane and Bingley to have their night. Besides, everyone will know when we dance the last.”

Epilogue

Darcy and Elizabeth formally announced their engagement after the Netherfield Ball. Jane was quick to suggest they stand up with her and Bingley, and a date for the wedding was set for after the new year.